Building system



E. R. LOCKE 2,141,397

BUILDING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 14, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet l i INVENTbk E421. Em Lac/r5 Q r ATTOEA/Z E. R. LOCKE BUILDING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 14, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 OGKE.

, INVENTOR 8 421, BAY L M,W m

flTTOENEYS Patented Dec. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES 3- Claims. (oi. 72-40)v This invention relates generally to building systems, and more particularly to wallconstruction for buildings, bridge footings, dikes and other structures.

' An object of the invention is to provide a wall which is constructed of preformed blocks so united as to insure maximum safety against damage by earthquake, Windstorm and other disturbances of the elements, as well as being fireproof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wall in which the blocks are automatically spaced from each other a predetermined definite amount both horizontally and vertically during constructtion of the wall, for the subsequent application of mortar, grout, or other cementitious material I to the spaces by hand troweling or by a cement gun, the blocks being finished by outside stucco or left' exposed for painting or other form of finishing coat.

A further object is to provide, a wall construct efiectively tied together so that both an outer weatherproof wall and an inner insulating and acoustical wall can be obtained with all of the' aforestated advantages.

Still another object is to provide a wall of preformed blocks wherein suitably reinforced girder blocks can be united to other blocks so as to span the sides of door and window openings, and provide adequate support for that portion of the Wall above such openings.

With these and other objects in view, vention consists in the combinationsand arrangements of elements as set forth in the following specification and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective View of a and half block, respectively;

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of typical spacer and le elements embodied in the invention the insinglewall in the course of construction and illustrating the Figure 6 is a fragmentary plan view of a single I Figure 7 is a fragmentary view of a single wall in side elevation partly. broken away; 7

' Figure 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the lines-e8 of Figure '7;

Figure?) is a fragmentary plan wallembodying the invention;

'1 Figure 10 is a perspective view of a portion of a single wall and showing the manner of attaching an insulating sheet to the inner side thereof;

Figure 11 is a view of a portion of a wall in side elevation and illustrating. a girder block at an opening in the wall.-

Referring specificallyv to the drawings,and particularly to Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, the wall embodying the invention is composed of preformedblocks 5 Q and half blocks I l which are rectangular inc-utlinecand can be constructed of any suitable material,- such as concrete, glass, terra cotta or various, substances such as cane fiber, wood bark or straw with ,a cementitious binder. 'Each block it is provided with two openings l2 (Figure 2) vertically therethrough, and each half block ll is provided with a single opening [3 (Figure 3 therethrough, all for the, purpose of receiving tie members inthe form of metal rods H5, in the assemblingof the blocks into a wall. Each block. is further provided with relatively large openings 15 vertically therethrough and. with, end recesses iii to reduce the weight of the block and to provide dead air spaces in the wall for insulating purposes. Those blocks at a corncrof the wall can have one corner rounded as indicated at ll for artistic effect.

in conjunction with the tie rods l4, combined spacer and tie'elements in the form of metal straps B8 are provided. These straps are formed with suitably. spaced openings 19 (Figure 5) therethrough to receivethe rods l4; and it will be noted from Figures 1 and 4 that certain of the strapscan be L-shapedas indicated at lBa for view of a double use at the junction of a'main wall and a partition. 1

The straps can be constructed of sheet metal bent into channel form as shown, andcan be of various thicknesses inaccordance with the amount the courses of "blocks are to be definitely spaced apart vertically.

In building the wall a, level concrete foundation Zilis first constructed and has vertically embedded therein the rods l4 which are definitely and equally, spaced apart by the use of a suitable template not shown), the spacing of the rods corre' sponding to that of the openings I2 in the blocks ldand'the openings" Win the straps, l8 and I8a'.

A suflicient number of the straps l8 are now" applied to the rods l8 so as to rest upon the from the next block an amount corresponding to V the thickness of a strap.

Other straps it are now applied to the rods H1 in staggered relationship to the first straps as is shown in Figure 7, followed by the second course of blocks which are alsoapplied in staggered relationship to the first blocks are applied in courses straps until the wall has been built up to a height course. Other 1 slightly less than the height of the rods which in practice may be from three to four feet above the foundation. The template (not shown) above referred to can now be applied to the projecting upperends of thefrods l4 and then rested on thetopmost course of blocks.

The horizontal spaces 2| between the courses of blocks, and the vertical spaces 22 between'the desired relationship to then building such walls concurrently with the building of the'first described wall, the half block blocks, of each course are now filled' as indicated at 23 in Figure 8, with mortar or cement, by hand,

troweling or with a cement gun The outer surface of the blocks can be left exposed in this manner or an outside stucco canbe applied to the blocks,.as indicated at 24 in this figure,

. Upon removalof the H1, other. and identical rods are welded thereto to extend the heightof the rods as indicated in broken lines in Figure '1, following whichthe tie straps and blocks are alternately applied to the rods as above described. When the second section of wall has been thus built up to the new height of therods, the cementing of the intervening spaces 2! and 22 between the blocks, of the new section is effected. This operation is repeated until the wal has been built to the desired height. 7 r 7 It will be manifest that the blocks of .a wall constructed inthis manner will be effectively tied togetheragainst any and all longitudinal and lateral stresses, and will be definitely spaced both horizontally and vertically during the assembling operation for the subsequent applicationof cement, to sealthe spaces between blocks and complete the wall with either the blocks exposed or covered with outside stucco.

Furthermore, the construction of walls at an angle to each other to provide a second outside wall W or a partition wall W2 is accomplished by embedding the rods l4 in a foundation at the the foundation 20 and II and the L-shaped straps |8a being utilized at the partition wall to tie the latter to the cut side wall as shown in Figure 1. The straps l8 are utilized to tie the angularly walls together at the shown inthis figure.

In Figure 9 is shown a tion wherein the blocks l0 junction thereof, as also doublewall construcare assembled on the rods M with intervening spacer an dtie elements 28 applied to the rods in the manner previously described; However, the elements 28 are in the form of rectangular plates having suitably spaced openings 29 to receive four rods, two in the outer wall and two in the inner wall, so as to tie the two walls together, as well as tie the blocks of each wall together. r r f In Figure 10 is shown a further modified form [0 are applied to the rods in stagof blocks;

with intervening template from the rods rodsand spanning the related outside r of tie strap 38 which is similar to the strap [8 with the exception that it is provided with a lat erally projecting tongue 39 intermediate its ends.

The tongue is of sufficient length to project beyond a side of the wall when the strap 38 is applied to the rods l4 between intervening courses and the free end of the tongue is pointed and split longitudinally to provide bendable prongs 40 adapted to puncture a sheet of insulating board 4| when applied tothe wall. Following the application of the board 4| snugly against the wall, the prongs 40 are oppositely bent asshown in this figure, to secure the board to the wall. It will be understood that it is not necessary for all of the straps l8 to be provided with the tongue39, as the boards need only be secured to thewall at a; lesser number of places than there are available straps.

In Figure 11 is shown a girder block 50 which can be provided with suitable reinforcing rods EL-and-Which is adapted to span the top of a window or door opening and support that portion of the wall above the opening. A suitable number of the rods the openings in the straps l8 and thus enable the courses of blocks to be laid successively above the girder and be tied thereto to effectively re-. sist longitudinal longitudinally from those of the next coursejtie elements having openings snugly receiving said joints between blocks to definitely space .the latter horizontally; the tie elements being disposed between the courses of,

blocks to definitely space the latter vertically and co-act therewith andwith the tie rods intying the blocks together in wall formation; and a filler in the spaces between blocks. 7

' 2. Wall construction comprising a foundation; rods embedded in the foundation and rising vertically therefrom at preselected intervals; blocks having openings snugly receiving the rods so as 'to be confined thereby in superposed courses whe'rein'the blocks of one courseare staggered longitudinally from those of the next course; tie elements having openings snugly receiving said rods and spanning the joints between blocks to definitely space the latter horizontally; the'tie elements being ofjless width than the Width of the blocks and'being disposed between the courses of blocks to definitely space the latter. vertically; and a filler in the vertical spaces and in the horizontal spaces to conceal the tieelements and close .the spaces. j

3. Wall construction comprising tie members; means for anchoring the tie members vertically in definite spaced relationship; blocks having openings snugly receiving said members to con- 7 l4 canbe set into openings 52 Y in the girder block so as to conform in spacing to apart and the spaces between blocks of one course are offset from those of the next course; tie elements having openings snugly receiving said members and disposed between the courses to definitely space them vertically; and a filler in said spaces. 7 r

A. In wall construction, a plurality of tie rods anchored at their lower ends to be vertically disthe blocks thereon in superposed courses with the blocks of each course spaced horizontally from each other; and tie elements having openings snugly receiving .the rods, and being disposed between the courses to span adjacent blocks and support them in definite spaced relationship vertically.

5. In wall construction, tie members anchored to be vertically disposed in definite spaced relationship; blocks having means co-acting with "said members to connect the blocks thereto in superposed courses and with the blocks of each course spaced from each other; means connecting said members and interposed between the courses to span the spaces between the blocks thereof and definitely space the courses vertically from each other; and means on the last means by which a facing sheet is adapted to be attached to the wall to cover a side thereof.

' 6. In wall construction, a plurality of tie rods anchored at their lower ends to be vertically disposed in definite spaced relationship; blocks having openings receiving the rods to confine the blocks thereon in superposed courses with the blocks of each course spaced horizontally from each other; tie elements having openings receiving the rods, and being disposed between the courses to span adjacent blocks and support them in definite spaced relationship vertically; and

tongues projecting from certain of the tie elements, having prongs adapted to puncture sheet facing material and to be bent laterally to attach such material to the wall in covering relation to a side thereof.

7. In wall construction having an opening therethrough, tie rods anchored to be disposed vertically in definite spaced relationship; blocks co-acting with said rods to be confined thereby in superposed courses and to define the vertical sides of a wall opening; and a girder block having means co-acting with certain of said rods to be confined thereby in spanning relation to the vertical sides of the wall opening so as to define the top thereof.

8. In wall construction having an opening therethrough, tie rods anchored to be disposed vertically in definite spaced relationship; blocks co-acting with said rods to be confined thereby in superposed courses and to define the vertical sides of a wall opening; a girder block having means co-acting with certain of said rods to be confined thereby in spanning relation to the vertical sides of the wall opening so as to define the top thereof; other tie rods supported vertically from said girder block in definite spaced relationship; and other blocks co-acting with said other tie rods to be confined thereby in superposed courses supported by the girder block.

EARL RAY LOCKE. 

